Truck for portable structures



Amin ff* i929 H. w. BENTON Y TRUCK FOR PORTABLE STRUCTURES Filed Aug. 11, 1927 Apm, 31929. H. w. BENTON TRUCK FOR PORTABLE STRUCTURESl Filed Aug. 1l. 1927 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Z v Fave/2% Apxr 9 w29. H. w. BENTON l I TRUCK FOR PORTABLE STRUCTURES Fi1ed..ug.11, 1927 s sheets-sheet '3 CAS Patented pr.. 9, i929.,

tresses HOHER YV. BENTON, OF HARVEY, LLINOIS, ASSIGNUR T0 WHITNG CORPORATOL OF HARVEY, ILLINOIS, A CGR-POR-ATION 0F ILLINGS.

TRUCK FOR PORTABLE STRUCTURES.

Application filed August 11, 1927. Serial l'o. 212,209.

The invention relates to trucks for portable structures such as cranes and one object is to provide an improved truck provided with tour driven wheels which are connected to the frame oi' the crane or structure to permit the trucks to conform to all irregularities in the tracks on which the truck Wheels run and to maintain uniform or equalized distribution of the load upon all of the Wheels. n

Anotherobject of the invention is to pro,- vide an improved truck vof this type in Which the wheels at the sides ot the truck are mounted in frames Whiehare adapted to tilt independently around the axis of the drive-shaft for the truck Wheels.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved construction of mechanism for driving all four Wheels of a rtruck of this type Which dispenses with universal joints in the driving connections.

Other objects of the invention will appear from the description.

The invention consists in the several novel 'features hereinafter set orth and more particularly defined by claims at the conclusion hereot.

In the drawings: Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a structure embodying the invention. Fig. 2 is a transverse section taken on line 2 2 of Fig. 4. Fig, 3 is a transverse section taken through one pair of transversely aligned truck wheels. Fig. 4 is a longitudinal section on line of Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is a longitudinal section on line 5 5 of Fig. 2. Fig. 6 is a detail perspective of the truck-bolster, Fig. 7 is a sectional perspective of one of the sideframes. f

The invention is exemplified in a truck for supporting a gauntry crane which comprises a pair of channel beams afa Which form one of the sills of the supporting frame ofthe crane and are rigidly secured together in spaced relation by plates a2 and supporting legs a3 oi the overhead'structure of the-crane. This exemplifies one of the lower corners of the supporting structure of the crane, each ot which is supported by a fourni/heeled truck. The construction oi the trucks and the driving mechanism therefor are substantially alike` so that only one of Athem is illustrated and described although it is to be understood that one of them will usually be used at each corner of the structure.

The truclr comprises a pairot'longitudinally aligned Wheels Zi f5 one side of the truck to run on one rail c and longitudinally aligned VWheels b2, 3 at the other side, to run on the other rail c. Each Wheel is provided With a flange c2 at its inner sides to ret-ain it on the rails. Each Wheel is keyed to an independent axle d. n

rlhe axles of 'the longitudinal pair ot Wheels at one side oit' the ti-ucl; are journalled in a side-:trame Fl, and the pair at the other side are ournalled in a side-trame E, these 'frames being separate from each other. Each siden iframe is composed of a pair of plates e, e between which the Wheels are located, and marginal angle-irons e2, secured to the inner faces oi the plates and to a spacer strip 63. Each side-trame forms a housing over and for one longitudinal pair ot' Wheels. rlhe ends of each axle l are journalled in a pair of bearing blocks Z3 which are confined in brackets d which are lined to the plates c, e oi" one of the side-frames. vEach .side-frame supports at its longitudinal center a bearing sleeve cAr on which the trame is free to rock vertically. The side-trames are separately pivoted to swing vertically on these sleeves, to permit each side pair oi Wheels to follow any irregularity in the rail on Which those Wheels run independently of the other pair, and cause all of the Wheels to remain on their rails despite relative irregularities in the track.

A truck bolster F supported over and by the side-'frames is made up of apair of ehannel-beams f Which are spaced apart, a pair ot hanger-plates f2, at each end of the bolster.r which are secured by angleplates f* to the ends ot' said beams; and vertical channel beams f7, xed to the plates f2, f3, respectively, to :t'orm reinforcing and thrust members between the holes f8, in which the sleeves e4 are seated, and thevupper ends ol said hanger plates. Each bearing sleeve e1 extends between and through the side-platesot one et the side-frames and is xedly held in place by keys e5 secured to said plates. 'l his exemplities a bolster which transversely connects the side-frames, and is composed of beams and plates which carry the sleeves e4 on which the side-frames are `free to independently swing vertically.r n The bolster is pivoted to tilt or rock transversely to permit the Wheels at the sides oi' the trucl; to independently rise and fall responsively tothe relative variation in the fails. The pivotal connection for this purcompris( het )t which .Ets between CII beams. and has flanges 7L fitting against and bolted to the inner faces of said beams, and integral upwardly extending bearings or ears 7a2 for a longitudinally extending pivot pin 7b3 which extends through said ears and into brackets 7Lt which are tixedly secured to and between the beams a, a of the crane supporting structure. Pin 7b3 thus permits the bolster' and the wheel frames carried thereby to rock transversely for the purpose stated. This exemplifies a truck construction in which longitudinal pairs of wheels are carried by vertically rockable side frames, a bolster for connecting the side-frames and to which the side frames are pivoted, and a connection between the bolster and the supporting structure which permits the bolster and the side frames to rock transversely. As a result, all of the Vwheels will be free to follow irregularities in each of the rails, as well as relative variation in the height or formation of the rails, so that under all conditions the load will be equalized between the wheels; also a bolster which is composed of wrought beams and parts.

In practice, it is desirable to propel the lfour wheels of each truck, and for this purpose a transverse shaft g extends through the bearing' sleeves vet around which the side frames are free to rock, so that the rocking of the side frames will be around a point co'- axial with said shaft, to maintainthe driving relation of the gears for transmitting move-v ment individually to the traction wheels. Gears g are keyed to the outer ends of shaft g respectively, and each axle 67 has keyed to its' outer end a gear wheel g2 which meshes with one of the gears g. Since the axles CZ, during the rocking of the side frames, move around a point coaxial with the shaft g, the

' driving relation between gears g and g2 will be maintained. v'lhere being a train of gears at each side of the truck, all of the traction wheels will be separately or independently driven from the shaft g.

rlhe drive-shaft g is driven froma vertical shaft 7c which is driven by a motor and gearing lon the structure'supported by the truck, as well undo stood in the art. 'lhe lower end of shaft 7u is journalled in a bearing 7a carried by a bracket 7a2 Vwhich is fixed. to one of the plates a2 of the supporting frame. A pinion 703 is fixed to the shaft 7e and meshes with a pinion 7s* which is fixed to a shaft 7s5 which is slid ably mounted in upper and lower bearings c6 on the bracket 722.

Sha-ft 705 is connected by means of a flexible coupling` 7, to a shaft 708 which is journalled in a bearing 7e carried by a bracket k1 which is fixed to the bracket 7L. A bevelledpinion 7x11, keyed to the lower end of shaft 708, meshes witha bevelled gear 7612 which .is keyed to the transverse shaft g. Shaft 738 is held against longitudinal movement by pinion 7611 and an adjustable thrust member 7cm. The flexible coupling 767 permits the shaft ks to rock with the transverse rockable bolster, and the shaft 7J is slidable in bearings 71:, so that it fan move responsively to the vertical displacement of the upper member of the flexiblecoupling. For assembling purposes, shaft g is made up of sections g4 and g, the abutting ends of which are secured together by a coupling` gt. To support the central portion of the shaft g, bracket 7am, which carries the shaft .18, is provided with a hanger or eXtension 7e in the lower end of which bushing members 7:1 are held by a cap 7017. Y

' rlfhis exeniplilies driving` mechanism for the individually movable traction wheels which comprises a transverse shaft around which the side frames are free to rock to maintain uniform load distribution on the wheels; also one in which the universal joints are dispensed with in the mechanism for driving the wheels from a shaft on the supporting structure to the transverse shaft in the truck.

rlhe invention is not to be understood'as restricted to the details set forth, since these may be mocilied within the scope of the appended claims, without departing` from the spirit and scope of the invention..

Having thus described the invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is V 1. The combination with a portable structure, of a .truck comprising a pair of separate side-frames, va longitudinally arranged pair of wheels j ournalled in each of the sideframes to support the sides of the truck respectively, a bolster having its ends supported in, and pivoted to the central portions of, the side-frames, so the latter vmay swing independently of each other to permit the wheels to rise and fall according to irregularities in the rails, a pivotal connection between the bolster' and the structure to permit the bolster and side-frames to tilt transversely, and mechanism for driving' all'of said wheels.

' 2. The conibination with apporta-ble structure, of a truck 'comprising a pair of separate side-fran'ies, a longitudinally arranged Apair of wheels journalled in each of the side frames to support the sides of the truck respectively, a bolster having sleeves at its ends, on which the centralportions of the side frames are pivoted, soV the latter may swing independently of each other topermit the wheels to risenand fall according to irregularities in the rails, a pivotal connection between the bolster and the structure to permit the bolster and side-frames to tilt transversely, and mechanism for driving all of said wheels. I

3. The combination with a portable structure, of a truckcomprising a pair of separate Yside'-frames, a longitudinally arranged pair of wheels jeurnalled in each of the side frames to support the sides of tie truck respectively, a bolster having its ends supported in, and pivoted vto the central portions of, the side frames, so the latter may swing independently of each other to permit the wheels to rise and fall according toA irregularities in the rails, a pivotal connection between the bolster and the structure to permit the bolster and side frames to tilt transversely, and mechanism for driving all of said wheels comprising a transverse shaft and separate gear connections between the ends of the shaft and the wheels respectively.

t. The combination with a portable structure, of a truck comprising a'pair of separate side-frames, a longitudinally arranged pair of wheels journalled in each of the sine frames to supportthe .sides of the truck respectively, a bolster having sleeves at its ends, on which the central portions of the sideframes are pivoted, so the latter may swing independently of each other to permit the wheels to rise and fall according to irregularities in the rails, a pivotal connection between the bolster and the structure to permit the bolster and side-frames to tilt transversely, and mechanism for driving all of said wheels comprising a shaft in said sleeves.

5. The combination with a portable structure, of a truck comprising a pair of separate side-frames, a longitudinally arranged pair of wheels journalled in each of the sideframes to support the sides of the truck respectively, a bolster having its ends supported by the side-frames so the latter will be freer to swing vertically and independently of each other to permit the wheels to rise and fall according to irregularities in the rails, a pivotal connection between the bolster and the structure which permits the bolster and sideframes to tilt transversely, a shaft mounted in the bolster connected to drive both pairs of said wheels, and mechanism for driving said shaft, the side-frames being pivoted to swing vertically around the axis of the shaft.

6. The combination with a portable structure, of a truck comprising a pair of separate side-frames, a longitudinally arranged pair of wheels ournalled in each of the sideframes to support the sides of the track respectively, a bolster having sleeves at its ends on which the central portions of the sideframes are pivoted, so the latter will be free to swing vertically and independently of each other to permit the wheels to rise and fall according to irregularities in the rails, a pivotal connection between the bolster and the structure which permits the bolster and side-frames to tilt transversely, a shaft in the leeves connected to individually drive all of said wheels, and mechanism for driving said shaft.

7. The combination with a portable structure, of a truck comprising a pair of separate side-frames, a longitudinally arranged pair of wheels journalled in each of the sideframes to support the sides of the truck respectively, a bolster having its ends supported by the side-frames so the latter will be free to swing vertically and independently of each other to permit the wheels to rise and fall according to irregularities in the rails, pivotal connection between the bolster and rthe structure which permits the bolster and sideframes te tilt transversely, a` shaft mounted in the bolster connected to drive both pairs of said wheels, and mechanism for driving said shaft, Vcomprising a vertical shaft carried by the bolster and bev-el gears between the shafts, the side-frames being pivoted to swing vertically around the axis of the shaft.

8. r`Ehe combination with a portable structure, of a truck comprising a pair of separate side-frames, a longitudinally arranged pair of wheels journalled each of the sideframes to support the sides of the truck respectively, a bolster having its ends supported by, and pivoted to the central portions of, the side frames so the latter will be free to swing vertically and independently of each other to permit the wheels to rise and fall accordingl to irregularities in the rails, a pivotal connection between the bolster and the structure which permits the bolster and sideframes to tilt transversely, a transverse shaft mounted in the bolster connected to drive both pairs of said wheels, and mechanism for driving said shaft comprising a vertical shaft mounted in the bolster and geared to the transverse shaft, a slidable shaft supported by the structure, and a flexible coupling between the slidable shaft and the vertical shaft.

9. ylhe combination with a portable structure, of a truck comprising a pair of separate side frames, each comprising a pair of spaced pla-tes and having brackets fixed to the plates, a longitudinally arranged pair of wheels journalled in each of the side-frames to support the sides of the truck respectively, each having an axle carried by the brackets, a bolster having sleeves at its ends on which the central portions of the side plates of the frames are pivoted, so the latter will be free to swing vertically and independently of each other to permit the wheels te rise and fall according to irregularities in the rails, a pivotal connection between the bolster andthe structure which permits the bolster and side frames to tilt transversely, a shaft mounted in the sleeves and connected to individually drive said wheels, and mechanism for driving said shaft.

10. The combination with a portable structure, of a truck coniprising a pair of separate side frames, a longitudinally arranged pair of wheels jonrnalled in each of the side frames to support the sides of the truck respectively, a bolster having its ends supported by, and pivoted to the central portions of, the side frames so the latter will be free to swing vertically and` independently of eaeli other to permit tlie'wheels to rise and iall according to irregularities in the rails, a pivotal connection between the bolster andl the structure Whieh permits the bolster and side- 'rames to tilt transversely, the bolster' being composed of transverse beams and a pair of' hanger plates at each end', reinforcing` mem bers i'or the plates, and a transverse shaft mounted in the bolster and connected to drive said Wheels. 1 v

1l. The combination with la portable strueture, of a truck Comprisina pair of separate side trames, a longitudinally arranged pair oi Wheels journalled in each of tlie side :trames to support the sides of the truck respectively, a bolster havingl a sleeve at its ends on 'which tlie Central portions of the side i'rames are p1vot'ed,so the latter will be iiree to swing vertically and independently oil 20 each other to permit the Wheels to rise and fall according to irregularities in the rails, a pivotal Connection between the bolster and the structure Wliieli permits the bolster and side frames to tilt transversely, the bolster 25 connected to drive said Wheels. 30

Signed at Harvey, lll., this 8th day ot August, 1927. e

Honra vv. BENTON.

uw.. mwa... 

